“She did the same thing when she found out about your back,” Harry said from the doorway. Simon glanced over, Christy now safely in his arms. “I’ve come to see how things are going. Daniel came around and asked for a report. You know how he is.”

“Just a little stitching here,” McCain said. “Looks like the knife didn’t go in too far and the bullet just grazed him.”

“Knife?” He looked at Simon and Robert. “You two have had a busy day. You can tell us all later.” He turned to go. “Come on, Sophie, Derek is champing at the bit to get you back. I wouldn’t let him come because I was worried there’d be an altercation with Barnabas’s Home Office boys.”

“I’m coming,” Sophie said, picking up her skirts and hurrying after Harry. “We’ve got enough to worry about right now.” She looked back and waved. “If you need me, just send a note.”

“Put her next to me,” Robert said. His voice was rough, and Simon saw that McCain had started stitching. He carried Christy over and carefully laid her next to Robert.

“I’ve still got to do the bullet wound,” McCain told Simon.

“You don’t know Christy,” Simon said. “If I tried to take her away from his side, she’d kill me.”

“I don’t faint,” Christy insisted weakly.

“Never,” Robert said. “Put your head on my shoulder so you can’t see what he’s doing.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Simon sat down next to her so he could see what McCain was doing. “Trust me, darling, you don’t want to see. Put your head on his shoulder.”

“All right.” Christy curled up next to Robert, her head on his shoulder and her face against his neck. Christian started to fuss.

“I’m going to take him down and finish feeding the wee thing,” Mary Peppers said. “I promise not to run off with him.”

“Wait, what?” Christy started to sit up.

“Quit your shillyshallying, woman,” McCain growled. “I’m trying to sew a man up here.”

“I’m going with me girl,” Essie said, and out the door she went. “’Ere, what are you doin’ ’ere?” she asked a moment later out in the hallway.

“You are going to be a challenge,” Barnabas said, “but one that I am up to. Off with you for now.” A second later, he stood in the doorway. “Who have we here? Ah, Hawthorne, good to see you. And this must be the infamous Dr. Alec McCain.”

McCain paused his needle and glanced over. “The very same. And who are you?” He went back to sewing up Robert’s arm.

“Sir Barnabas James.”

McCain’s needle paused again. “I’m told I have to reserve judgment,” he said. “We’ll see.”

“Indeed.” Barnabas dismissed him with that one word. Simon could see Hawthorne fighting a smile. “You gentlemen will be glad to know that we have returned all the black powder to the Royal Ordnance at Woolwich. According to their records, give or take a handful or two, that was all of it. We do not believe they actually had enough powder to attack any more targets. So, well done.”

“What was his plan?” Robert asked as McCain tied off the stitches in his arm. “His method of planting the explosives was not what your experts told us to look for.”

“Yes, well, Van de Berg has some engineering experience. His plan was quite ingenious, although once we started picking off his co-conspirators, it was doomed to failure. He planned to blow the eastern side of each support at the same time, weakening the bridge support to such an extent along that side that the entire bridge would collapse. A collapse at London Bridge at noonday would have been a disaster of monumental proportions. Who can say whether it would have worked or not? I’m sincerely grateful to you both for your efforts to foil their plans.”

He pursed his lips. “Their motives concern me, however. Van de Berg was being paid. An anonymous benefactor. And the Russians are heading toward anarchy with their proletariat revolutionaries. I do not like them invading our shores with their political propaganda.”

He walked over and peered at McCain’s handiwork. “We do have a surgeon on call at the Home Office, you know. The same one that serves Parliament, I believe.”

“Then I’m sure he’s not worth the paper his credentials are written on,” McCain growled. “Are you questioning my work?”

“I would never presume, doctor.” Barnabas straightened. “I believe you will need a few days to recover before returning to work, Manderley. I shall not expect you before Wednesday.”

“Work? What is this you’re talking about?” Robert said. He started to sit up but winced and lay back down. “I don’t work for you.”

“Indeed you do,” Barnabas said. “I found your work on this case to be exemplary. You are wasted with the constabulary. I have informed your superiors as such.”

“Now see here, Barnabas,” Simon said. “Robert likes being a constable. He likes coming home to Christy and the baby each night. Lord knows in our profession that doesn’t happen often.”

“‘Our profession’?” Barnabas asked. “I’m glad to hear you say that. I have also reinstated your position, Gantry. You now work for me again, as well. The two of you and Hastings made a very good team, and I am thinking of having you train the woman, Essie.”

“Oh, God,” Robert said. “Tell me I’m delirious.”

“So you all stopped a madman from blowing up London Bridge?” McCain asked, frowning. “I had no idea I was sewing up a hero.” He clapped his hands together. “But for now, everyone out. This lad needs to sleep. Best thing for him.” He stood up and waved Barnabas out.

“Christy and Simon stay,” Robert said. Simon could hear the exhaustion in his voice. He felt the same way.

“I just need to borrow Gantry for a minute,” Barnabas said. “I’ll send him right back.”

“I’ll be back to check on you and change those bandages tomorrow,” McCain told Robert. “Don’t be overexerting yourself.”

“Sleep. I promise.” Robert’s tone said he was telling the truth.

“I’ll be right back,” Simon said softly, squeezing Christy’s hand.

“And we’ll be right here waiting,” Christy said with a smile as she held his hand. He walked away and distance finally broke their connection.